Turkey to focus on energy during D-8 presidency

ISTANBUL - Anadolu Agency

Turkey wants to enhance energy trade and cooperation in the fight against global challenges among the Developing-8 states, the country’s foreign minister said on Oct. 19.

“We can develop energy trade among the [D-8] states. We can altogether realize joint energy investments,” said Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, speaking at the 17th session of the D-8 Council in Istanbul.

“In fields, such as hydrocarbon exploration and production activities, we could produce projects together,” he said.

Turkey plans to focus on “sustainable development” during its coming D-8 presidency, Çavuşoğlu said.

“Energy is especially at the top of the fields upon which we can cooperate,” he said.

Turkey will take over from Pakistan on Oct. 20, which will mark the 20th anniversary of the international organization.

The international summit, with the theme Expanding Opportunities through Cooperation, will be attended by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Iran’s first vice president Eshaq Jahangiri and the vice president of Indonesia Jusuf Kalla will also participate.

Formed as an economic alliance, the body consists of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.